October 21, 2009 -- Charles Beach, a machinist from Newington, scratched himself $2,000,000 in CT Lottery prize money earlier this afternoon while grocery shopping for pasta and sauce he needed to cook dinner for his wife tonight.

Discovering a $2,000,000 prize on the CT Lottery Max-A-Millions instant ticket he'd just purchased at the Stop & Shop in Newington, Beach's dinner plans, and life, experienced a dramatic change. "I think we'll just go out instead," a clearly shocked Beach told CT Lottery officials a short time ago.

Beach admitted he checked the ticket numerous times before allowing himself to believe he'd really hit the game's jackpot. Deciding he had a winner, Beach made the short drive to the CT Lottery's Rocky Hill headquarters, where officials verified his ticket to be the 4th of 8 top prizes in the game.

Max-A-Millions has a $2,000,000 top prize that its winners can elect to take as a 20-year annuity or a one-time cash lump sum. Winners have 60-days from the day they make their claim to decide how they wish to collect their prize money. Beach opted to delay his decision, noting he needed to discuss it with his wife and family, as well as professional financial planners.

Stop & Shop on Fenn Road in Newington will receive a $20,000 Bonus for selling the top prize ticket.